Furious V’landys rubbishes reports NRL grand final location decided

The NRL grand final could still be moved to Brisbane this year, as a furious Peter V’landys takes aim at “leaks” that a final decision has been made.

The 2022 NRL grand final could still be held in Brisbane, with rugby league boss Peter V’landys rubbishing a report on Monday night a deal had been struck to keep the fixture in Sydney.

A fuming Mr V’landys told The Daily Telegraph no agreement had been reached despite the NRL grand final being less than seven weeks away.

He said the Seven News report went to air without anybody contacting any NRL official about the story.

“In all my career I have never experienced anything like this, where a story appears to have been leaked that is so utterly misleading.”

“Whoever leaked this story thinks they are going to rush the decision. They’re wrong. Where’s the trust?”

Peter V'landys says no deal has been struck to keep the NRL grand final in Sydney.

The report came on the eve of a highly-anticipated meeting of the NRL Commission, which was set to discuss the location of this year’s grand final.

“The Commission was due to meet on Tuesday but now we have a lot more to discuss because of the complete lack of trust in the process.”

A Seven News reporter said a Sydney grand final would be a “major coup” for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Monique Harmer

“And we are not going to be rushed into making a decision because the reports we have been provided show that commercially we make many millions more from taking the game to Queensland.”

“So if you look at it purely with a commercial lens it makes perfect sense to take it there.

“We will always act in the best interests of the game.”
Contrary to Seven’s report that up to $7 million in extra revenue would be made by hosting the grand final in Sydney, The Daily Telegraph understands shifting the flagship event to Brisbane would actually deliver the NRL more money, to the tune of $10 million.

Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and the Panthers celebrate winning the 2021 NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and Souths Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Picture: Adam Head

It’s understood the extra revenue would be derived largely from better stadium hiring terms.

The NRL was particularly galled by the spectacle of the Seven News reporter standing outside the game’s headquarters for a live cross during the 6pm news, when they claimed nobody from Seven had called to confirm the story.

It’s understood the NRL only found out about the story when one of their staff members saw the Seven News reporter filming live on air outside the game’s Moore Park base, while walking to their car after work.

The Daily Telegraph also understands Destination NSW, who have been negotiating with the NRL in good faith, have been blindsided by the report.

In the story, reporter Chris Reason said the outcome would be a “major coup” for Dominic Perrottet’s government “and a major humiliation for the ARL’s Peter V’landys.”

Reason later told The Daily Telegraph the story was sourced by 7News chief league reporter Michelle Bishop, journalist Liam Tapper and news director Jason Morrison.

“I’ve spoken to the 3 journalists who sourced the story — they stand by it — and I stand by them.”

A spokeswoman for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said negotiations over the grand final were ongoing.

“Our discussions with the NRL are continuing and, while we’re not there yet, we hope to successfully conclude them soon,” she said.

Sport Minister Alister Henskens also said he had not received any information on a decision about the location of the NRL grand final.

“I have had two constructive discussions with Mr V’landys and Mr Abdo last week,” he said in a statement.

“I look forward to continuing those discussions.”

“The NSW government remains committed to upgrading suburban stadiums however following recent natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic, it is appropriate that further investment in stadia is staged.”